From the Associated Press: Aid Groups Weigh How Much More They Can Help If FEMA Reduces Its Disaster Response

Originally published June 11, 2025

Written by Gabriela Aoun Angueira at The Associated Press. Published June 11, 2025.

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From the article:

“Funders that fuel recovery work say they can’t replace federal money. “It’s not just unrealistic, it’s a dangerous abdication of public responsibility,” said Ryan Eller, executive director of the Appalachia Funders Network. “There’s a reason these agencies were brought about in the first place when local resources just can’t meet the need.”

Philanthropy committed over $300 million to recovery to Hurricane Helene alone, and hundreds of millions more each for the fires in LA and on Maui. Eller said it’s getting harder to fundraise for recovery. “There is a general fatigue around disaster philanthropy because of the volume and frequency of storms,” he said.

Even if a nonprofit can’t take on more, simply building relationships with state and local government, residents, and fellow relief groups ahead of an emergency will make everyone more prepared, said Byard. “Take FEMA out of it, now we’re really looking at communities supporting communities,” he said. “That can build some really really strong resilience.”